There seems to be a new mental health issue that is afflicting the vast majority of adults in the United States: election anxiety.
There is no official diagnosis, CPT code, or resource-based relative value that can be applied for this stress-related phenomenon, but there is no question that the upcoming election is causing a lot of distress among us. And although it is not a diagnosable condition, political stress has several definable features such as negative feelings that impede daily function, lost sleep, exhaustion, shortened tempers, obsessive thoughts, and feeling overwhelmed.
Election anxiety and political stress have also caused some horrible personal relations and outcomes: family feuds, broken friendships, office squabbles, and lack of any interaction with neighbors—all of which breaks down critical social and community bonds.
So, what can counselors do to help during this time when emotions have gotten the best of us?
In a recent CNET article titled “Don’t Let Election Anxiety Get You Down,” the writer reached out to experts for advice and identified the following ways to cope with election anxiety that counselors can apply for their clients:
1. Stay informed but limit time on social media and watching television, and only check the news during a set time each day. Unplug a little.
2. Avoid stressful conversations on politics with family, coworkers, neighbors, and block certain accounts on social media.
3. Speaking of which, limiting social media time can help lower anxiety and improve sleep patterns.
4. Remember that you have control. The election will result in changes, but you can manage your daily life despite your anxious thoughts.
5. Prioritize self-care.
6. Get plenty of rest.
7. Take regular walks, lift weights, or do yoga—whatever exercise you are comfortable doing.
8. Volunteer or learn a new skill.
9. Be kind to yourself.
10. There are remedies to election anxiety; we just need to practice them on a daily basis.
Visit the NBCC Government Affairs page for more information about voting and how to take action on key legislation.
